Kapuso actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith expressed strong anger over the controversial remark made by Quezon City 4th District Representative Bong Suntay about her sister, actress and TV host Anne Curtis.
Jasmine took to social media to air her frustration after watching the lawmaker’s statement during a hearing of the House Committee on Justice regarding the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
During the proceedings, Suntay cited Curtis while defending Duterte’s remarks about being a self-described “designated survivor.”
He said: “Minsan nasa Shangri-La ako, nakita ko si Anne Curtis. Ang ganda-ganda pala niya.
“You know, may desire sa loob ko na nag-init talaga, at na-imagine ko na lang kung ano ang puwedeng mangyari. Pero siyempre hanggang imagination lang ’yon.”
The statement was immediately challenged by some members of the committee, prompting a motion to strike it from the official records of the hearing.
San Juan Representative Ysabel Maria Zamora objected to the remark.
“With all due respect to my friend Congressman Bong Suntay, it is just the start of the Women’s Month, and I don’t think that we should be hearing such comments from our dear colleagues.”
In a lengthy statement on social media, Jasmine emphasized that the issue goes beyond a single celebrity.
“This moment is not about one female celebrity. It is about how ALL WOMEN, regardless of profession, continue to be reduced to bodies in spaces dominated by men in power.”
She criticized the lawmaker’s remarks, saying they reinforce a culture that objectifies women.
“When a congressman publicly narrates his ‘desire’ and imagination about a woman he once saw (or dreams he saw, idk his statements keep changing), it reinforces a culture that treats women as consumable, as spectacle, as fantasy, as objects for commentary rather than as whole human beings with agency, intellect, and autonomy.”
Jasmine also stressed that public officials have a responsibility to maintain respectful discourse, particularly in government institutions.
“Public office carries with it the responsibility to elevate discourse, not diminish it. The halls of government should be spaces where women are discussed for their contributions, their ideas, and their leadership — not as imagined scenarios.”
She further rejected the notion that such remarks could be dismissed as honesty or a compliment.
“We cannot continue excusing this as ‘just being honest’ or ‘just a compliment.’ It is neither.”
“Respect is not complicated. If we want safer environments for our daughters, nieces, and future leaders, accountability must begin with those elected to represent us.”
Aside from the statement, Jasmine also shared posts online calling for Suntay’s resignation and discussing the possibility of filing complaints under the Safe Spaces Act, also known as the “Bawal Bastos Law.”
She later admitted how deeply the incident affected her emotionally.
“Yung init ng ulo at dugo ko.. ang hirap matulog ha!”
As of writing, Anne Curtis has yet to release a statement regarding the controversy.
